Capgemini India has unveiled plans to recruit between 40,000 and 45,000 new employees throughout calendar year 2025, signaling a bold strategy amid broader IT sector slowdown. The firm, currently employing approximately 175,000 people in India, expects its headcount to exceed 200,000 by year-end.
🎯 Strategic Focus on AI Capabilities
A defining feature of this hiring initiative is the emphasis on building an AI-ready workforce. Capgemini will partner with over 50 colleges and campuses across India to onboard fresh graduates, providing early training in areas such as machine learning, generative AI, and automation platforms.The Economic Times
Approximately 35%–40% of new hires will be lateral and experienced professionals, brought in to bolster key business functions and leadership roles
🤝 WNS Acquisition Bolsters Opportunity
Capgemini’s hiring spree coincides with its planned $3.3 billion acquisition of WNS, a major Business Process Services (BPS) provider. Once completed, the move will enhance Capgemini’s agentic AI-driven intelligent operations, with projected revenue synergies of $100–140 million by 2027. The firm expects minimal job redundancies as part of the integration.
📉 Context: Layoffs in Indian IT Amid Capgemini’s Expansion
While rival firms such as Microsoft, TCS, Infosys, and Intel have cut jobs due to automation and global demand slowdown, Capgemini has charted a contrary path of growth and upskilling. Industry observers view the hiring spree as a result of increased client demand for scalable, innovation-led cloud and AI solutions.
📈 Financial Context & Leadership Commentary
Capgemini CEO Ashwin Yardi highlighted India’s attractiveness as a delivery and innovation centre, noting clients’ growing preference for cost-effective digital solutions. Globally, the group expects flat to modest growth, with revenue forecast between –1% and +1% for FY2025. CEO Aiman Ezzat emphasized India’s strategic importance and reaffirmed the company’s plan to add 45,000 employees. He also cautioned that not all AI projects yield positive ROI, stressing a tailored, case-by-case evaluation of AI investments.
🧭 Impact and Industry Implications
- Job Creation & Talent Upskilling: New roles span entry-level to mid-career, with a built-in focus on AI and digital transformation.
- Increased Global Capability Center (GCC) Role: India’s GCCs are now handling more strategic engineering and product delivery work.
- Boost to hiring confidence: Capgemini’s bold expansion sends a positive signal amid caution in IT client spending.
- Future Growth Path: With WNS integration and a promising AI roadmap, the firm is positioning India as a global delivery and innovation epicenter.
🔑 Key Figures at a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Hiring in 2025 | 40,000–45,000 new employees |
| Lateral Hires | ~35–40% of total |
| India Workforce After Hiring | >200,000 employees |
| Number of Campus Partnerships | Over 50 colleges and universities |
| Focus Skill Areas | AI, machine learning, automation, data |
| Related Acquisition | WNS ($3.3B), with AI service synergies |
| Revenue Growth Projection | –1% to +1% in constant currency |
